03 Sep 2014

The Shashe River system does not pose any health risks to the community as effluent water from the sewage ponds has been treated.

This was said by Water Utilities Corporation general manager, Ms Keatlaretse Machete when briefing councillors on September 2 during the Tonota sub district council meeting.

Ms Machete said the waste water had been treated and caused no harm to the environment. However, she appreciated that sometimes there was no easy flow of waste in the system, which created blockages.

The blockage, she said, was caused by sand and other particles such as toilet papers, sanitary pads and pampers and assured councilors that they would frequently inspect their system to rid it of any blockages.

Some councillors had raised a concern about the waste water spillage due to blockages, adding that this could cause a danger to their livestock.

For his part, Cllr Peter Williams appreciated challenges that Water Utilities Corporation encountered and urged them to address those challenges through kgotla meetings.

Cllr Bathoen Maseko of Mandunyane urged the corporation to open public standpipes, while Cllr Botho Ntirang of Tonota Central raised a concern about the illegal connections and wanted the WUC to explain what they were doing about the issue.

He said serious action should be taken against those who connect water illegally.

In response, Ms Machete said if illegal connections are identified the concerned individuals are blocked with immediate effect. ENDS